MedTech Stories

Episode 10. Saumya Premachandra: On bringing your whole self to work every day

Our final episode for Season 1 features Saumya Premachandra, Director of Medical Education at Penumbra. Saumya started her career at Cook Medical as a sales rep and transitioned into product management and eventually medical education. Tune in to hear Saumya’s story on growth through self awareness and continuous learning all the while being a global baby - living in six countries, 10 cities, 20 homes throughout her life! Resources: Books - Code of Trust Robin Dreeke "Unlocking Us" Brené Brown The First 90 Days Michael D. Watkins Links - Leaders need “User Manuals” – and what I learned by writing mine "Deep Dive into Medical Education Strategies - Engaging, Developing and Maintaining Collaborative Partnerships"Transparency, Aggregate Spend & HCP Engagement Conference Michelle Obama Imposter Syndrome

Episode 9. Vasey Hargreaves: On taking chances and knowing when to pull the ripcord

Episode Summary: Vasey Hargreaves is the Senior Director of Commercial Marketing at Aerin Medical. She has worked in the cardiovascular and ENT space as well as received her MBA from Haas. In this episode, Vasey walks us through her unique career path, explains the differences in working for a startup versus large company and shares her unique superpower of staying calm under pressure--in a work setting and while skydiving. Detailed Show Notes: 6:36 - Teaching in China + posting on Craigslist: Vasey’s beginnings 9:28 - Never want to be bored: Vasey’s career paths 16:04 - Going bigger for the rigor: Finding a full-time job out of business school 28:13 - Changing the lens: Where she’s at now 34:22 - Wearing all the hats: Success in a startup 39:22 - Dr. Google: Patient marketing in the digital age 42:22 - Women in the C-Suite: Mentors and leaders 44:22 - Knowing when to pull the ripcord: Vasey’s superpower 48:55 - Think beyond the parameters: Her advice for young professionals 50:06 - Listen to your gut: Vasey’s role model

Episode 8. Pharaoh Schnieber: On Finding Your Leadership Style

Episode Summary: Pharoah Schnieber recently joined Cerepadics as the Vice President, International Regulatory & Global Compliance at Cerepadics. Previously she was the VP of Regulatory and R&D at PQ Bypass and although she’s very excited for her new role, she looks forward to watching PQ Bypass and Endologix continue their success from afar. Pharoah started her career as a reviewer at FDA and then transitioned into Industry. Tune in to hear Pharaoh’s story about growing up in a very tight knit Filipino family, bringing her background and culture into how she leads teams and how she has discovered and honed her leadership style. Detailed Show Notes: 5:44 - Running towards something: Finding your calling 11: 37 - Loud leadership: Pharoah’s personal life 20:40 - “The Wolf:” Pharoah’s time as an FDA reviewer 26:08 - Tailoring for your audience: The switch to regulatory 30:34 - Straight, yet effective, shooter: Leadership styles (and socially acceptable styles) 42:01 - Brutal honesty: Pharaoh's “short list” of mentors 45:30 - “Go make friends:” They key to making mentors 53:58 - Catering leadership: Pharoah’s superpowers 55:55 - “Don’t forget the people:” Advice to young professionals 58:41 - Family sacrifices: Pharoah’s role models Calls to action: Follow MedTech Stories on LinkedIn Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Rate and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Music Credits - Scott Holmes Music

Episode 7. Jessica Richter: On getting comfortable, being uncomfortable.

Episode Summary: Jessica Richter is the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Development at Experien Group. Jess started her medtech career in Sales at CR Bard and then grew into sales leadership positions at Medtronic. She then joined Experian group to expand the firm’s business development activities and to direct strategic growth initiatives. Tune in to hear Jessica’s story on her impact in cases as a sales rep, her influence on increasing diversity in the MedTech industry and her passion for animal rescue! Detailed Show Notes: 0:53 - “A career in communications:” How Jess got involved in MedTech 6:53 - Outside the comfort zone: Taking a big career leap 14:36 - Philanthropy and pets: Jessica's personal life 19:07 - Competition and contributions: A glimpse into sales 22:30 - Broadening the lens: Jessica's collaborative leadership style 28:25 - Ongoing education: Involvement in other organizations 32:46 - Taking risks (on yourself and others): Personal and professional accomplishments 38:16 - Increasing diversity within the industry: MedTech Women 48:56 - Evening out your pie chart: Managing risk 54:33 - Glass half-full: Jess’s resilience 56:20 - Put your hat in the ring: Jessica's advice to young professionals Calls to action: Follow MedTech Stories on LinkedIn Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Rate and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Music Credits - Scott Holmes Music

Episode 6. Shreya Mehta: On starting a MedTech company

Episode Summary: Shreya Mehta is the Cofounder and CTO of Zenflow - medical device company developing a minimally invasive treatment for urinary obstruction caused by enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Previously she worked as a lead reviewer at the FDA. Tune in to hear Shreya’s story on starting a company, her long distance cycling adventures from SF to Santa Monica and her thoughts on authentic leadership! Detailed Show Notes: 3:41 - Engineer at heart: Why MedTech 5:51 - Looking “under the hood:” Shreya’s experience at the FDA 12:06 - New perspectives & new stakeholders: Her move to biodesign 16:52 - Finding the unmet need: The creation of Zenflow 23:55 - Moving past the bumps on the road: Shreya’s highs and lows 31:28 - Capitalizing your strengths: How to choose a cofounder 35:50 - Trust & transparency in a team: Shaping a self-motivated team 42:20 - From a device to a product: Zenflow’s next steps 48:32 - “I don’t carry all the knowledge:” Using humility in decision-making 52:09 - If you don’t know, you can’t change it: Steps to fight bias 58:17 - Authentic leadership: Shreya’s superpower 1:03:07 - “Do it, if you have the means:” Shreya’s advice to entrepreneurs Calls to action: Follow MedTech Stories on LinkedIn Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Rate and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Music Credits - Scott Holmes Music